This situation only arises in places where the metal-guy charges astronomical prices to import a very small number of simple alu extrusions and the buyer himself is able to produce his own carbon beams (negating labour costs).

I have never seen a situation where the production of commerically available carbon beams is cheaper or even just as expensive as extrusion of high grade alu beams. In fact I don't believe we will ever see that happen at all, especially not when ordering more then 50 sets in one go (500 kg combined).

For those production batches, extruded alu beams of the 6005 T5 variant are incredibally cheap. The same applies to alu masts.

I'm not allowed to say how cheap exactly but trust me on this, carbon will never win over alu in that area. And I'm not talking about alu being cheaper by factor of 2, 3, 4, 5, ..., ..., ... either.

It is just one of those freak occurences when you live in some far of place without a sizeable industrial base of along an international shipping route.

Wouter